We can’t afford not to use rail line

I completely agree with your Tuesday editorial, “Innovative transit idea shouldn’t be dismissed,” about preserving the rail corridor between Snohomish and Renton for transit.

Last October I contacted Sen. Steve Hobbs and discussed this very option with him since the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line runs to his district in Snohomish. I next talked to several Democratic precinct committee persons in the Skagit County portion of the 39th District, who were very much in favor of a commuter rail line extending to their area, since a great number of people from that county are employed by Boeing and the right of way extends all the way up there (part of that right of way is now the Centennial Trail).

Sen. Hobbs’ transportation aide, Mark Stuiley, contacted me and was going to try to set up a meeting of interested parties to explore the issue. Subsequently the King County proposal came forth as well as the Cascadia group’s.

One problem I discovered are the plans by the state Department of Transportation to realign the I-90/I-405 interchange, which is currently in the design stage and will eliminate the Wilburton Tunnel and the adjacent BNSF rail line, effectively removing that corridor. I believe this is very poor transportation planning and an alternative should be found. I mentioned this issue to Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers and to the members of the Snohomish County Citizens for Improved Transportation. I also asked Councilman Dave Gossett to attend the next SCCIT meeting, this Tuesday, to discuss this issue.

Hopefully, transportation experts will look at the impact the rail line can have on King, Snohomish and Skagit counties and we can develop a multi-use system, including an adjacent walking/biking trail, funded by multiple public and private interests.

Fred B. Walser

Monroe